Chemical composition analysis of raw and torrefied empty fruit bunch (EFB)

From the last research, there has increasing in the research interest in value of the lignocellulosic biomass. Lignocellulosic biomass is inexpensive, most abundance and provide the large-scale. The using of the lignocellulosic material is to reduce the cost in production of ethanol. Lignocellulosic are compose into three structures which are cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. EFB has the highest composition of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin among the abundance fiber like coir, corn, bagasse and kenaf fiber. EFB were collected at Felda Kemahang, Tanah Merah, Kelantan. Samples then grind using grinder to breakdown the size and use siever to obtain 500 micron for torrefaction process. Torrefaction was the process pre-treatment of biomass materials in inert atmosphere (nitrogen) in temperature range 200 to 300oC by using microwave. Microwave controlled all the parameter which is power level (Watt), temperature (°C), volume of nitrogen (ml/min) and mass of sample (g) during the torrefaction process. In this study, the analysis of raw and torrefied EFB was done according to TAPPI standard method, except hemicellulose, which data was collected through equation. Result acquired reveals that the highest percentage in extractive, holocellulose, α- cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin was be found in raw EFB compared to other torrefaction EFB due to the degradation of content during torrefaction process. The degradation of hemicellulose was the takes place in temperature range 200-350 °C or even lower whereas the degradation of cellulose and lignin occurs when 300°C and above. This study determined EFB as useful alternative resources in feedstock material steam in power plant application